Entries in African National Congress
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Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images(JOHANNESBURG) -- South Africa's ruling political party, the African National Congress (ANC) celebrates its centenary on Sunday.

The South African Native National Congress, which later became the ANC, was started on 8 January 1912 and became the ruling party in 1994 following the end of apartheid in South Africa. A majority of the celebrations will take place in Bloemfontein where the political party first began.

The former President and ANC party member Nelson Mandela, 93, has been ill and is not expected to attend.

As ANC turns 100, South Africa faces increasing unemployment, inadequate housing and a marked economic inequality of its citizens.

Celebrations to mark the event began on Friday and will conclude on Sunday where President Jacob Zuma will light the Centenary Torch at Wesleyan Church in Bloemfontein or Mangaung, as the city is known in the Sesotho language.

The torch will then be transported to the city's stadium where Zuma is scheduled to give a speech at a ceremony which will be attended by an estimated 100,000 people.